Metallic reinforced switch boot



Aug. 11, 1964 I Filed Jan. 18, 1961 M. MORSE METALLIC REINFORCED SWITCHBOOT 2 'S heets-Sheet 1 M. MORSE IC REINFORC Aug. 11, 1964 METALL EDSWITCH BOOT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 18, 1961 United States Patent3,144,539 NIETALIJIC REINFORCED SWITCH BOOT Milton Morse, 252 HawthorneAve, New York, NY. Filed Jan. 18, 1961, Ser. No. 83,518 1 Claim. (Cl.200-168) This invention relates generally to the field of hermeticsealing devices, and more particularly to an improved switch bootadapted to be used in conjunction with a panel-mounted push button typeswitch.

Devices of this type are generally known in the art, and usually includea resilient rubber or synthetic resinous member bonded to a threaded nutmember, in such manner that it may be installed upon a threaded shankused to support a switch within an opening in a panel. While suchdevices are useful, they are not of universal application, and where,for example, an illuminated type switch is employed which is notmaintained within an opening in a panel by threaded means, completelycovering the exposed portion of the switch would prevent theillumination from remaining visible to the user.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention toprovide an improved sealing boot particularly adapted for illuminatedtype push button operated switches which will effect a complete hermeticand moisture-proof seal surrounding the exposed portions of the pushbutton while permitting full visibility of the push button itself.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an improvedswitch boot of the class described, and possessed of the aboveadvantages, in which the cost of fabrication may be of a reasonably loworder, with consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

A still further object of the invention lies in the provision of animproved boot for illuminated switches of the class described which maybe readily and conveniently installed in permanent association with theswitch, and which, in installed condition, effects a permanent flexibleseal between the exposed illuminated button and the outer surface of thepanel in which the switch is installed.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improvedboot of the class described which will permit easy removal andinstallation of the above-mentioned push-button for replacement of theilluminating means disposed therebeneath.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a boot of theclass described having flexible sections above and below the actualsealing ribs, to protect said ribs from damage during installation andremoval.

A feature of the invention lies in the attractive appearance afforded bythe boot in installed condition.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends andadvantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the followingdisclosure, and be pointed in the appended claim.

In the drawings, to which reference will be made in the specification,similar reference characters have been employed to designatecorresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE 1 is an exploded view in perspective of an illuminated pushbutton type switch in conjunction With an embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a similar view in perspective showing the sides oppositethat seen in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing the installationof the embodiment within an opening in a metallic panel.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view in perspective show ing the switch incompletely installed condition within the panel.

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view of the embodi- 3,144,539. PatentedAug. 11, 1964 ment as seen from the right hand portion of FIGURE 4.FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view as seenfrom the plane 6-6 in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 7 is a view in perspective of the sealing device embodying theinvention in detached condition.

FIGURE 8 is a front elevational view thereof.

FIGURE 9 is a transverse sectional view as seen from the plane 99 inFIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is a transverse sectional View as seen from the plane 1010 inFIGURE 8.

In accordance with the invention, the device. generally indicated byreference character 10, is employed in conjunction with a flange-mountedpush button indicator switch of well-known type, generally designated byreference character 11. The switch 11 is resiliently mounted in anopening 12 in a metal panel 13 by spring members 14 and 15. The switchincludes an indicator element 16 and a switch element 17, there beingprojecting means 18 interconnecting the elements 16 and 17 through ashort cylindrical housing 19. The push button 20 is usually of atransparent synthetic resinous material positioned in a rectangularopening 21 in a housing 22 which surrounds illumination means (notshown). Angle brackets 23 and 24 position the switch 11 within theopening 12. The device 10 includes a metallic frame element 25 and aresilient element 26 bonded thereto.

The metallic frame element 25 may be formed as a metallic stamping, andis shown in the accompanying drawing as of generally rectangularconfiguration, although it will be understood by those skilled in theart to which the invention relates that the configuration of theelements 25 and 26 may be altered according to need. The element 25includes four side members 28, 29, 30 and 31 and four base members 32,33, 34 and 35, defining a rectangular opening 36 corresponding in sizeto the opening 12.

The resilient element 26 is preferably formed from silicone rubber orother synthetic material possessing similar properties. It includessidewalls 38, 39, 40 and 41 and a top wall 42 defining a rectangularopening 43, the unstressed configuration of which is slightly less thanthe cross sectional shape of the button 20. The opening 43 includesupper and lower molded flanges 44 and 45, respectively, the outersurfaces 47 of which engage the side surfaces 48 of the button 20immediately below an outwardly extending lip 50, there being formedbetween the flanges 44 and 45 an air pocket 49 which, if desired, may befilled with a suitable lubricant, to facilitate installation and removalof the push-button 20.

The device is installed upon the switch 11 preferably at the time ofinstallation of the switch 11 within the opening 12 in the panel 13,folding the resilient element 26 about itself and expanding the opening36 to the point where the frame element 25 will pass. In this condition, the frame element 25 is positioned over the angle brackets 2324,following which the switch 11 is inserted in the opening 12 to beretained therein by the resilient members 14 and 15. The resilientelement 26 is then returned to its original condition, following whichthe button 20 is pressed into position to be retained by resilient means51. As best seen in FIGURE 6, it will be observed that the tapered freeedge 52 is maintained in deformable contact with the outer surface 53 ofthe panel 13, and a continuous seal is effected about the button 26. Inthis condition, light emanating from behind the panel 13 may be visiblethrough the transparent button 20, and the button may be depressedagainst resilient returning means (not shown) without interrupting theseal.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limitedto the precise details of structure shown and set forth in thisspecification, for obvious modifica- 3 tions will occur to those skilledin the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

In combination, a switch housing, a panel having an opening, saidhousing extending through said opening, said housing having a principalaxis, an actuating button disposed within said housing for slidableaxial movement and extending outwardly of said opening in said panel,said housing having angle brackets engaging said opening in said panel,a hermetically sealing boot including: a frame element and a resilientelement interconnected therewith, said frame element including aperipheral base member having a substantially centrally disposed openingtherein corresponding in configuration to the opening in said panel, andat least one side wall having an outer surface disposed substantially atright angles with respect to said base member, said resilient bootelement having at least one side wall having an inner surface secured tosaid outer surface of said side Wall of said frame element, andextending to a free edge disposed in a plane beneath said frame element,and a top wall integral with said side wall, and having an openingdisposed therein corresponding in configuration to said exposed button;said resilient element being positioned upon said housing in such mannerthat said frame element is disposed to surround said angle brackets,said free edge being thereby pressed against said panel, and saidopening in said resilient element engaging the periphery of saidactuating 10 button.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,440,943 Gonsett et al. May 4, 1948 15 2,462,023 Johanson et al. Feb.15, 1949 2,795,144 Morse June 11, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 886,759 FranceJuly 12, 1943

